Aldon Smith ‘healing fast’

It wasn’t so long ago that outside linebacker Aldon Smith was walking with the aid of a cane. Now, he is talking about playing in a game before the regular-season opener.

Smith suffered a left hip injury against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 10 and returned to practice only Monday. On Tuesday, Smith spoke with the media for the first time since he went down early in the Vikings game.

Smith said he is hopeful of playing in one of the 49ers remaining two exhibition games, Sunday against the Denver Broncos and Aug. 30 against the San Diego Chargers.

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A strong case could be made for the 49ers shutting down Smith and making sure he is healthy for the regular-season opener Sept. 9 against the Green Bay Packers.

However, Smith said there’s something to be said for getting in some more game action before the Packers game.

“Everybody needs playing time,” Smith said. “Reps are everything. Anytime you can get better, why not?”

Defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said Smith is one of the most improved players on the defense. That’s pretty heady stuff for a player that recorded 14 sacks and played a key role in the defense, as was the case with Smith as a rookie in 2011.

“Aldon has made leaps and bounds from where he was at this point last year to where he is now,” Jean Francois said. “He’s been doing a great job picking up on a lot of things that he really wasn’t sure about last year during the preseason and even during the season. My hat’s off to Aldon, and I’m pretty excited about what he’s going to do for us this year.”

Smith said he was rounding into form before he suffered his injury. Now, he is intent upon regaining that form before long.

“I was feeling good,” Smith said. “I’m still feeling good. I can’t move like I want to but I’m feeling good mentally and physically. Every day, it’s getting better.”

Cam Inman

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Of course getting Aldon ready for the regular season is the most important thing. I was hoping to see him in some pass coverage before than. We all know he can rush the passer and with J. Smith and A. Brooks on the line, doubling Aldon could be dangerous. . . . . .